The Bubble is back with a revamped healing area

The Bubble Festival began yesterday afternoon (Monday September 18) at the headland between Golden Bay and Riviera and will run until Sunday 24 September.

This year has been themed the Festival of Light, in celebration of Malta’s marvellous sunshine.

Last year’s festival made headlines for ensuring not a single kilogram of refuse went to landfill, and efforts have been stepped up for this year’s event. All plastic and canned products have been phased out, with biodegradable containers, cups, forks and plates taking their place. Beer is served on draught instead of bottles or cans, and water dispensers should replace plastic water bottles. Furthermore, The Bubble has teamed up with clean-up and recycling NGO Żibel, which has organised clean-ups across the Maltese shoreline.

“Last year’s massive effort to re-use all the litter and refuse from the festival was well received and The Bubble has become synonymous with the drive to become more sustainable,” said festival organiser Duncan Fenech. “Food served at the festival will come from sustainable sources and we will seek to have zero waste from the festival.”

Environment Minister Jose’ Herrera is also a fan, telling the press that, “The Bubble provides the public with the opportunity to enjoy one of Malta’s most beautiful natural locations and to really connect with nature whilst learning about ways to live more sustainably.”

Herrera added that “apart from providing the opportunity of artistic expression to so many talented Maltese musicians and artists, the Bubble Festival also provides the NGOs involved a very good platform to explain their work to an interested and engaged public.”

All proceeds from the festival go towards charitable causes, and three separate projects will benefit from funding this year (see below for details). The festival raised €8,000 last year for NGOs such as the Gaia Foundation, Why Not? and Right2Smile, and organisers are hoping to double that figure this time round.

The Bubble festival will feature a revamped healing area including workshops on anything from upcycling to personal development, permaculture and yoga, trail running and deep ecology.

Festival-goers who want a break from the music can join a relaxing herb walk in the beautiful Majjistral nature park.

Tickets cost €15 for a day pass, €35 for a week-long pass, €35 for a weekend camping ticket including festival entrance, and €50 for a week-long camping ticket with access to all areas. Pre-pitched tents are available for those who do not own their own camping equipment.

The Bubble is a registered NGO founded in April 2014 which organises local events in support of humanitarian and environmental causes.

It organises The Bubble festival in collaboration with a number of other NGOs and hundreds of volunteers on a yearly basis. All festival proceeds are diverted to charitable causes and the festival is heavily focused on ensuring environmental sustainability.

The NGO’s accounts are publicly available.

About this year’s charitable causes

Three separate projects will benefit from funding this year.

1. Right2Smile Youth Hub –a local project which offers troubled and vulnerable youths a social space and educational support

2. Jose Depiro Kabataan Orchestra- a music education project for disadvantaged children in the Philippines, where disadvantaged children with little or no prospects are integrated into a real orchestra which is supported by members of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. Music lessons are normally conducted by Skype but a few orchestra members travel to Malta to have one-on-one lessons and take back some instruments.

3. Gaia Foundation- is contracted by the European Commission and the Ministry for Environment to manage and conserve the flora and fauna of a number of Malta's beaches including Golden Bay and Riviera Bay in Malta, and Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo, as well as parts of the Majjistral Park